U.S. patent application number 15/239273 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-22 for light ring loudspeaker system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitek Corp., Inc.. Invention is credited to Johnathan Ivey, Kevin Sykes.
Application Number | 20180051872 15/239273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61191524 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180051872 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ivey; Johnathan ; et
al. |
February 22, 2018 |
LIGHT RING LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
Abstract
An LED light ring for ceiling mounted speakers having flanged
enclosures with flip dogs is presented. The LED light ring is a
flat annular transparent or translucent piece that is clamped
between the enclosure flange and the ceiling tile and emits RGB LED
light radially outward through the LED light ring. The LED light
emits from LEDs mounted on a circular electronic circuit board
(flexible or not) on the inner circumference of the LED light ring.
The circular electronic circuit is coupled to a controller that
controls the color, blink rate, and intensity and has firmware for
interpreting simple controller commands into complex LED light
patterns and sequences. A plurality of light ring equipped
loudspeakers may be in communication with a common controller that
can create patterns and sequences among the plurality of light ring
equipped loudspeakers.
Inventors: |
Ivey; Johnathan; (Chandler,
AZ) ; Sykes; Kevin; (Phoenix, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitek Corp., Inc. |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61191524 |
Appl. No.: |
15/239273 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 2201/021 20130101;
F21Y 2105/18 20160801; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21Y 2103/33
20160801; F21S 8/026 20130101; H04R 1/028 20130101; H04R 1/026
20130101; F21V 33/0056 20130101; F21Y 2113/17 20160801 |
International
Class: |
F21V 33/00 20060101
F21V033/00; H04R 1/02 20060101 H04R001/02; F21S 8/02 20060101
F21S008/02 |
Claims
1. A light ring loudspeaker, comprising: a. a loudspeaker enclosure
having an annular circumferential flange adapted to engage one of a
ceiling tile and a panel when said enclosure is inserted through a
hole in said one of said ceiling tile and said panel, respectively,
wherein said annular circumferential flange has a larger diameter
than said hole; b. a plurality of flip dogs mounted on said
enclosure, adapted to clamp said one of said ceiling tile and said
panel between said flip dogs and said annular circumferential
flange; and c. an annular ring adapted to be clamped between said
annular circumferential flange and said one of said ceiling tile
and said panel.
2. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 1, comprising a loudspeaker
mounted within said enclosure.
3. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said annular ring
is one of translucent and transparent.
4. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 3, comprising a circular
electronic circuit mounted on an inner circumferential surface of
said annular ring.
5. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein said circular
electronic circuit comprises one of: a. a flexible circular
electronic circuit; and b. a rigid circular electronic circuit.
6. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 5, comprising a plurality of
LEDs mounted on said circular electronic circuit.
7. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 6, wherein each LED of said
plurality of LEDs has its light output directed though said annular
ring.
8. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 6, wherein each LED of said
plurality of LEDs is an RGB LED.
9. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 8, wherein said circular
electronic circuit is in communication with a controller adapted to
control at least one of a color, a blink rate, and an intensity of
an output of said plurality of LEDs.
10. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 9, wherein said circular
electronic circuit comprises firmware adapted to interpret simple
commands from said controller into complex LED output pattern
generation.
11. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 9, comprising a plurality
of said light ring loudspeakers attached to a common controller
adapted to control at least one of said color, blink rate, and
intensity of said output of said plurality of LEDs of each said
light ring loudspeaker of said plurality of said light ring
loudspeakers to form sequences and patterns.
12. A light ring loudspeaker, comprising: a. a loudspeaker
enclosure having an annular circumferential flange adapted to
engage one of a ceiling tile and a panel when said enclosure is
inserted through a hole in said one of said ceiling tile and said
panel, respectively, wherein said annular circumferential flange
has a larger diameter than said hole; b. a plurality of flip dogs
mounted on said enclosure, adapted to clamp said one of said
ceiling tile and said panel between said flip dogs and said annular
circumferential flange; c. an annular ring adapted to be clamped
between said annular circumferential flange and said one of a
ceiling tile and a panel; d. wherein said annular ring is one of
translucent and transparent; and e. a circular electronic circuit
mounted on an inner circumferential surface of said annular
ring.
13. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 12, wherein said circular
electronic circuit comprises one of: a. a flexible circular
electronic circuit; and b. a rigid circular electronic circuit.
14. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 13, comprising a plurality
of LEDs mounted on said circular electronic circuit.
15. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 14, wherein each LED of
said plurality of LEDs has its light output directed though said
annular ring.
16. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 15, wherein each LED of
said plurality of LEDs is an RGB LED.
17. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 16, wherein said circular
electronic circuit is in communication with a controller adapted to
control at least one of a color, a blink rate, and an intensity of
said output of said plurality of LEDs.
18. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 17, wherein said circular
electronic circuit comprises firmware adapted to interpret simple
commands from said controller into complex LED output pattern
generation.
19. The light ring loudspeaker of claim 18, comprising a plurality
of said light ring loudspeakers attached to a common controller
adapted to control said color, blink rate, and intensity of said
output of said plurality of LEDs of each said light ring
loudspeaker of said plurality of said light ring loudspeakers to
form sequences and patterns.
20. A light ring loudspeaker, comprising: a. a loudspeaker
enclosure having an annular circumferential flange adapted to
engage one of a ceiling tile and a panel when said enclosure is
inserted through a hole in said one of ceiling tile and a panel,
wherein said annular circumferential flange has a larger diameter
than said hole; b. a plurality of flip dogs mounted on said
enclosure, adapted to clamp said one of a ceiling tile and a panel
between said flip dogs and said annular circumferential flange; c.
an annular ring adapted to be clamped between said annular
circumferential flange and said one of a ceiling tile and a panel;
d. wherein said annular ring is one of translucent and transparent;
e. a circular electronic circuit mounted on an inner
circumferential surface of said annular ring; f. wherein said
circular electronic circuit comprises one of: i. a flexible
circular electronic circuit; and ii. a rigid circular electronic
circuit; g. a plurality of LEDs mounted on said circular electronic
circuit; h. wherein: i. each LED of said plurality of LEDs has its
light output directed though said annular ring; and ii. each LED of
said plurality of LEDs is an RGB LED; i. wherein: i. said circular
electronic circuit is in communication with a controller adapted to
control said color, blink rate, and intensity of said output of
said plurality of LEDs; ii. said circular electronic circuit
comprises firmware adapted to interpret simple commands from said
controller into complex LED output pattern generation; and j. a
plurality of said light ring loudspeakers attached to a common
controller adapted to control said color, blink rate, and intensity
of said output of said plurality of LEDs of each said light ring
loudspeaker of said plurality of said light ring loudspeakers to
form sequences and patterns of LED outputs.
Description
FIELD OF ART
[0001] The present invention relates to a ceiling-mounted speaker
housing having an LED light ring sandwiched between a ceiling tile
and a housing flange that is visible below the ceiling tile. The
present invention more particularly relates to such LED light ring
that is controllable as to color and intensity of light, and
systems of LED light ring equipped speakers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ceiling speakers have housings which are designed to assist
in mounting ceiling speakers on ceiling tiles of suspended
ceilings. The housing may include an enclosure, or "can", a
circumferential horizontal flange extending from the enclosure at
the bottom, a circumferential vertical wall on the flange that is
sized to slidingly fit in a mounting hole in the ceiling tile, and
clamps, or "flip dogs", for clamping the ceiling tile between the
horizontal flange and the flip dogs. There is a demand for ceiling
lighting and sound systems, particularly in integrated form, for
large office buildings with suspended ceilings. Some approaches
have been made toward using lights on speakers for purposes other
than ordinary illumination for reading, typing, etc. It is desired
to integrate speakers and lighting for signaling and alarms.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of this invention to provide an LED light
ring that is controllable as to color, intensity, and blinking. It
is a further object of this invention to provide an LED light ring
that can be easily retrofitted on previously installed ceiling
speakers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Briefly described, the invention includes a flat annular
piece, or ring, of transparent or translucent material having an
outer diameter at least as large as a ceiling speaker horizontal
flange and having an inner diameter slightly larger than a
circumferential vertical wall of the ceiling speaker housing that
defines the size of the hole in the ceiling tile in which the
speaker housing is mounted. On the inner surface of the annular
piece is affixed a thin strip of circuit board on which is mounted
a plurality of LEDs, preferably RGB LEDS, which LEDS abut the inner
surface of the annular piece and shine light radially outward
through the flat annular piece. Optionally, the outer surface of
the annular piece may be optically diffusive by means of surface
treatment or coating. Optionally, the circuit board may feature
radially inward standoff s to snugly fit the LED light ring to the
vertical circumferential housing wall without abutting the
circuitry to the vertical circumferential housing wall. The LEDs
are controllable in color, blink rate and intensity by a
controller, optionally in combination with firmware on the circuit
board. A plurality of such LED light ring speakers may have a
common controller to generate lighting sequences and patterns among
the plurality of such LED light ring speakers.
[0005] An embodiment provides a light ring loudspeaker, including:
a loudspeaker enclosure having an annular circumferential flange
adapted to engage a ceiling tile or a panel when the enclosure is
inserted through a hole in the either the ceiling tile and the
panel, respectively, where the annular circumferential flange has a
larger diameter than the hole; a plurality of flip dogs mounted on
the enclosure, adapted to clamp either the ceiling tile or the
panel between the flip dogs and the annular circumferential flange;
and an annular ring adapted to be clamped between the annular
circumferential flange and either the ceiling tile or the panel.
That light ring loudspeaker, including a loudspeaker mounted within
the enclosure. That light ring loudspeaker, where the annular ring
is either translucent or transparent. That light ring loudspeaker,
including a circular electronic circuit mounted on an inner
circumferential surface of the annular ring. That light ring
loudspeaker, where the circular electronic circuit includes: a
flexible circular electronic circuit or a rigid circular electronic
circuit. That light ring loudspeaker, including a plurality of LEDs
mounted on the circular electronic circuit. That light ring
loudspeaker, where each LED of the plurality of LEDs has its light
output directed though the annular ring. That light ring
loudspeaker, where each LED of the plurality of LEDs is an RGB LED.
That light ring loudspeaker, where the circular electronic circuit
is in communication with a controller adapted to control a color,
blink rate, and/or intensity of an output of the plurality of LEDs.
That light ring loudspeaker, where the circular electronic circuit
includes firmware adapted to interpret simple commands from the
controller into complex LED output pattern generation. That light
ring loudspeaker, including a plurality of the light ring
loudspeakers attached to a common controller adapted to control the
color, blink rate, and/or intensity of the output of the plurality
of LEDs of each the light ring loudspeaker of the plurality of the
light ring loudspeakers to form sequences and patterns.
[0006] An embodiment provides a loudspeaker enclosure having an
annular circumferential flange adapted to engage either a ceiling
tile or a panel when the enclosure is inserted through a hole in
either the ceiling tile or the panel, respectively, where the
annular circumferential flange has a larger diameter than the hole;
a plurality of flip dogs mounted on the enclosure, adapted to clamp
the ceiling tile or the panel between the flip dogs and the annular
circumferential flange; an annular ring adapted to be clamped
between the annular circumferential flange and the ceiling tile or
the panel; where the annular ring is either translucent or
transparent; and a circular electronic circuit mounted on an inner
circumferential surface of the annular ring. That light ring
loudspeaker, where the circular electronic circuit includes one of:
a flexible circular electronic circuit; and a rigid circular
electronic circuit. That light ring loudspeaker, including a
plurality of LEDs mounted on the circular electronic circuit. That
light ring loudspeaker, where each LED of the plurality of LEDs has
its light output directed though the annular ring. That light ring
loudspeaker, where each LED of the plurality of LEDs is an RGB LED.
That light ring loudspeaker, where the circular electronic circuit
is in communication with a controller adapted to control the color,
blink rate, and intensity of the output of the plurality of LEDs.
That light ring loudspeaker, where the circular electronic circuit
includes firmware adapted to interpret simple commands from the
controller into complex LED output pattern generation. That light
ring loudspeaker, including a plurality of the light ring
loudspeakers attached to a common controller adapted to control the
color, blink rate, and intensity of the output of the plurality of
LEDs of each the light ring loudspeaker of the plurality of the
light ring loudspeakers to form sequences and patterns.
[0007] An embodiment provides a loudspeaker enclosure having an
annular circumferential flange adapted to engage either a ceiling
tile or a panel when the enclosure is inserted through a hole in
either the ceiling tile or the panel, where the annular
circumferential flange has a larger diameter than the hole; a
plurality of flip dogs mounted on the enclosure, adapted to clamp
either the ceiling tile or the panel between the flip dogs and the
annular circumferential flange; an annular ring adapted to be
clamped between the annular circumferential flange and either the
ceiling tile or the panel; where the annular ring is either
translucent or transparent; a circular electronic circuit mounted
on an inner circumferential surface of the annular ring; where the
circular electronic circuit includes either a flexible circular
electronic circuit or a rigid circular electronic circuit; a
plurality of LEDs mounted on the circular electronic circuit;
where: each LED of the plurality of LEDs has its light output
directed though the annular ring; and each LED of the plurality of
LEDs is an RGB LED; where: the circular electronic circuit is in
communication with a controller adapted to control the color, the
blink rate, and the intensity of the output of the plurality of
LEDs; the circular electronic circuit includes firmware adapted to
interpret simple commands from the controller into complex LED
output pattern generation; and a plurality of the light ring
loudspeakers attached to a common controller adapted to control the
color, the blink rate, and the intensity of the output of the
plurality of LEDs of each light ring loudspeaker of the plurality
of the light ring loudspeakers to form sequences and patterns of
LED outputs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements, and
[0009] FIG. 1 is side elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the loudspeaker housing for the light ring
loudspeaker, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front-side perspective view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG. 1,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front-side perspective view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG. 2,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG. 2 and delimiting a
section A, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG. 2, showing details
of section A of FIG. 4, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front-side perspective view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG. 2,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG.
2 and defining cross section BB', according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring of the light ring loudspeaker of FIG.
2 through cross section BB' defined in FIG. 7, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side elevation enlarged view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring of the light ring
loudspeaker of FIG. 2 through cross section BB' defined in FIG. 7,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIG. 1 is side elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the loudspeaker housing 100 for the light ring
loudspeaker 200 (see FIG. 2), according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. Enclosure 102 preferably contains a
downward-facing speaker and is generally radially symmetrical.
Speaker access panel 110 supports cable guide 120 and speaker
electrical connections122. Extending horizontally from the bottom
is an annular circumferential flange 104 having a top surface 106.
Annular circumferential flange 104 supports circumferential
vertical wall 108 which is sized to slidingly fit into a hole 306
in a ceiling tile 302 (see FIG. 3). A speaker grill 112 covers the
diaphragm of an enclosed speaker and a bottom opening in the center
of the annular circumferential flange 104 through which the speaker
is inserted into enclosure 102. Arranged around the enclosure 102
and between the enclosure 102 and the circumferential vertical wall
108 are a plurality of dogleg clamps 114, 116 and 118 (hereinafter
"flip dogs") having doglegs 124 (one of three visible labeled)
which, during installation, rotate to a radially extended position
and clamp the ceiling tile 302 (see FIG. 3) between the top surface
106 of annular circumferential flange 104 and the bottom surface
126 of doglegs 124.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front-side perspective view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker 200, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Light ring 202
is shown in an intermediate position during installation. Light
ring 202 will rest on top surface 106 of annular circumferential
flange 104. The outer diameter of the light ring 202 is preferably
at least as large as the diameter of the annular circumferential
flange 104. The inner diameter of the light ring 202 is slightly
larger than the diameter of the circumferential vertical wall 108.
Light ring 202 does not engage the flip dogs 116 and 118 in the
stowed position of flip dogs 116 and 118. Light ring 202 is
preferably an LED light ring 202, and more preferably an RGB LED
light ring 202.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front-side perspective view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker 200 of FIG. 2,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Enclosure 100, preferably with a loudspeaker enclosed therein, is
inserted through the light ring 202 and then through hole 306 of
ceiling tile 302. The inner diameter of light ring 202 and the hole
306 may fit slidingly or loosely around circumferential vertical
wall 108. Ceiling tile 302 has a bottom surface 304, a portion of
which will contact a top surface of light ring 202 in a further
step of installation. Ceiling tile 302 may be any
commercial-off-the-shelf ceiling tile 302 with enough strength to
support the speaker enclosure 100 and speaker, or may be a wall
panel of similar strength. Enclosure 100 and the enclosed speaker
may be provided in various sizes and weights.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker 200 of FIG. 2 and
delimiting a section A, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Light ring 202 is sandwiched between the annular
circumferential flange 104 and the bottom surface 304 of the
ceiling tile 302 in preparation for activating the flip dogs 116,
118, and 402. The number of flip dogs 114, 116, 118, and 402
illustrated herein are not a limitation of the present invention.
For example, in other embodiments, more or fewer flip dogs may be
used. The particular design of the flip dogs 114, 116, 118, and 402
is likewise not a limitation of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker 200 of FIG. 1, showing
details of section A of FIG. 4, according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. Light ring 202 is shown sandwiched
between ceiling tile 302 and annular circumferential flange 104.
Both light ring 202 and ceiling tile 302 are outside of
circumferential vertical wall 108 and will be clamped between the
bottom surface 126 of a flip dog leg 124 and the annular
circumferential flange 104 in the final step of installation. In
other embodiments, light ring 202 may extend beyond annular
circumferential flange 104.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front-side perspective view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of the light ring loudspeaker 200 of FIG. 2,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Light
ring 202 is shown with a circular circuit 602, which may be a
flexible circular circuit 602, attached to the inner surface of
light ring 202. Circular circuit 602 supports a plurality of LEDs
904 (see FIG. 9) oriented to project light radially outward through
the at least partially transparent annular ring 702 (see FIG. 7).
Wires 604, which carry power and control information from a
controller, are connected to circular circuit 602. Wires 602
terminate in electrical coupling 606 which is connectable to
coupling 610 connected to a power and control data supply
(controller) via wires 608. Control data may be used to change the
color, intensity, or blinking of the LEDs 904 (see FIG. 9) on the
light ring 202. A plurality of light ring loudspeakers 200 may be
installed and controlled to signal actions in an emergency. For
example, the light rings may turn emit red light and flash in a
marquee sequence to indicate a path of escape. In a particular
embodiment, the LEDs 904 (see FIG. 9) may be controlled to provide
a marquee display or a double marquee display on a single light
ring 202. For example, in a smoke-filled hallway where a person can
only see one light ring loudspeaker 200, marquee flashing of the
LEDs 904 (see FIG. 9) on both the left and right sides of the light
ring 202 can still indicate an escape path.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring 202 of the light ring loudspeaker 200
of FIG. 2 and defining cross section BB', according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Annular ring 702 is preferably
made of a plastic that is at least partially transparent.
Translucent annular rings 702 may be used in various embodiments.
In particular embodiments, other transparent materials may be used,
such as, without limitation, glass. In particular embodiments,
annular ring 702 may be translucent by virtue of a light diffusing
surface treatment (textured or applied) on the outer circumference
of the annular ring 702. Annular ring 702 need not be rigid, but it
should have enough stiffness to support the circular circuit 602.
Circular circuit 602 may contain firmware that enables complex LED
patterns and sequences in response to a simple controller command,
such as, without limitation, a fire alarm command.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the light ring 202 of the light ring loudspeaker 200
of FIG. 2 through cross section BB' defined in FIG. 7, according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Inner diameter 802
must be large enough to fit over the circumferential vertical wall
108. Outer diameter 804 is preferably at least as large as the
diameter of the annular circumferential flange 104.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side elevation enlarged view illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of a detail of the light ring 202 of the light
ring loudspeaker 202 of FIG. 2 through cross section BB' defined in
FIG. 7, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Circular circuit includes LEDs 904, circuit board 902
and, optionally, stand-off 906. LEDs 904 are adhered to annular
ring 702 and direct their light output 912 radially outward towards
the outer edge of annular ring 702. LEDs 904 are supported by and
electrically in communication with circuit board 902. Optional
standoff 906 extends from circuit board 902 and is sized to keep
circuit board 902 from abutting annular circumferential flange 104.
In various embodiments, standoff 906 may be positioned elsewhere on
the circuit board 902. Diffusive surface treatment 910 may be a
coating or a roughing of the outer surface of annular ring 702. In
a particular embodiment, the diffusive treatment may include a dust
repellent coating. In particular embodiments where the outer
diameter 804 of the light ring 202 is greater than the diameter of
annular circumferential flange 104, any portion of bottom surface
908 that is exposed to view should also receive diffusive surface
treatment 910.
[0027] While some exemplary embodiments have been illustrated, the
invention is limited only by the claims below as interpreted in
light of the specification above.
* * * * *